New home

The barnswallows are wanting a new home.

Unfortunately, they wanted to make a nest right above our welcome mat.

And the mat didn't look too welcoming with all the bird poop.

So we taped some foil on the perch above the front door. It flapped in the wind and the swallows decided they didn't like that. (Part of the foil got ripped away by the wind)
Oh, and do you see the metal mesh in the light? That was to keep the sparrows out since they started making a nest in our light.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE birds. I am a bird watcher. Our yard is full of them and I feed them too. But not right above our front door please.

Since the front door wasn't a good spot, they have decided they want to make a new home on our back deck, right above the door that goes into the house. On top of the speakers. Not a good spot, birdies!

I tried putting on some loud music, but that didn't work.

We had read that a fake snake might scare them away.

Nope.

So Al decided to add foil to it too since that worked on the front door.

Looks scary to me!

When I looked outside this morning, they had roosted on top of the foil all night!

Al put more foil on there.

We are at an impasse. They haven't decided yet what to do with us.

While I was on the back porch, I looked to the east. Got to love those Kansas thunderstorms!

Wish it would take those barnswallows to the land of Oz. Or at least to our neighbor's porch.

School's Out!

Hannah graduated from kindergarten today.




She had a gift for her wonderful teacher, Mrs. Burkhart (they learned her name at the beginning of the year as "brrr + cart").


We went to Adam and Jill's for grilled brats and chicken, corn on the cob ( or as Sophia says, "toan on the tob"), fruit and spinach salad.

And I got this wonderful drink.
From my personal barista! (he used to work at Starbucks in Chicago, putting himself through school)
We had some gifts for Hannah. Grandma Lois had some spending money for her.

"The next thing I need is to go to the store!"

Jill fixed a sand pail dessert.

It is a trifle:
Tear apart an already prepared angle food cake or pound cake
Prepare 2 small packages white chocolate instant pudding
Carton coolwhip or whip some real cream
Peaches
You layer these things 3 times (you probably won't use up all the cake)
Crush vanilla wafers on top to make it look like sand.
While we were eating, a family of little baby birdies were also eating. Hannah wanted to name the birdies Flitty and Twitty (after the book Mary Ellen wrote) and Sophia wanted Olivia and Rosetta. So they were named Flitty Olivia and Twitty Rosetta.
There was no Itty Bitty - only 2 little birdies in this nest.

The girls are ready for summer!

Young moms

This past year, Sarah Weber and I were privileged to help facilitate a young mom's study. Sarah and I have been doing this for 3 years now.

This year we studied the book "Entrusted with a Child's Heart" a Biblical study in parenting written by Betsy Corning.

We learned about being a godly mother by embracing Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord. That a godly mother lives by convictions and biblical priorities. And a godly mother establishes authority in her child's life and trains her children to see God as their lifelong authority. We learned about discipline, recognizing and handling manipulation; dealing with rebellion. How to use words that edify. And going to battle for the heart of our child.



For our final time together, we met at the park. There were a few of the girls who could not make it and we were disappointed about that.

We had a lovely time. With the spring this year being either very chilly or super windy, this morning was a perfect morning!

As I looked at Amanda, I thought "Hmm. Is that a bump there?! " But I didn't want to ask. I did that once and the girl wasn't. I felt horrible!

But then I heard someone mention that she is pregnant!! She had posted it on her blog just that morning, but I hadn't read it yet. I found out that I wasn't the only one who looking at her tummy and wondering the same thing. We are so happy for her!

Being silly.

We had a picnic lunch.


Marin fed the neighborhood kitty.

I am truly amazed at the young moms we have at our church. They desire God's best for their families. They love the Lord. And they are just fun to be with!!! Thank you so much, ladies, for letting Sarah and I be a part of your lives!

Pretty Prairie

I took the Arkansas babies to see their great-grandpa Bill.

He did not make any indication that he knew who we were. But when I put Eli on his lap, he said something. Couldn't make it out. Even if he didn't know, it was good for the children to see their Papa's daddy.

The residents were smiling at the children. One elderly lady said, "It makes my life worth living to see these little ones"!

After visiting Grandpa Bill for a while, we went to the farm. The family farm is just 5 miles outside of Pretty Prairie. Al's youngest brother and his family live there now. A farm is a wonderful place for little kids!